U.S. patent number 4,437,461 [Application Number 06/368,934] was granted by the patent office on 1984-03-20 for valve respirator device.
Invention is credited to Mitchell H. Greenberg.
United States Patent |
4,437,461 |
Greenberg |
March 20, 1984 |
Valve respirator device
Abstract
A valve respirator device for use both on human and on animal
patients. The device comprises a housing having an inport, an
outport and an exhaust port. The outport is connected to the
patient's respiratory system, the inport is connected to a source
of air and the exhaust port is open to the surrounding atmosphere.
To that end, in alternating succession, first the inport and then
the exhaust port is in fluid communication with the outport. A
slotted, rotatable valve cylinder is utilized as a means for
providing alternating fluid communication first between the inport
and the outport and then between the outport and the exhaust port.
The device further comprises a metering plate which is interposed
in the path of fluid communication between the outport and the
other two respective ports. In that regard, the metering plate
includes several apertures which regulate the volume and other flow
characteristics of air passing between these respective ports. The
device is constructed as a modular assembly so that the various
component parts comprising the device may readily be substituted
for, cleaned or repaired. Flow characteristics of the device may
readily be changed by using interchangeable metering plates or
valve cylinders. Other features of the device include heating
means, warning means which signal a malfunction in the device, a
pressure relief valve for preventing overinflation of the patient's
lungs and an exhaust port valve for regulating the patient's
exhalation rate.
Inventors: |
Greenberg; Mitchell H. (Easton,
CT) |
Family
ID: |
23453364 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/368,934 |
Filed: |
April 16, 1982 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/205.24;
91/33; 128/204.21; 137/625.22; 137/625.65; 137/865; 415/125;
417/176 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
16/20 (20130101); Y10T 137/86646 (20150401); Y10T
137/87732 (20150401); Y10T 137/86622 (20150401); A61M
16/209 (20140204) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
16/20 (20060101); A61M 016/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/28,30,30.2,38,40,203.27,204.17,204.18,204.21,205.24,205.18,205.19,205.23
;91/33 ;415/125 ;417/176
;137/865,870,625.2,625.21,625.22,625.65 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Bruno, Alien Property Custodian-S.N. 347,414, 5/11/43..
|
Primary Examiner: Recla; Henry J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein &
Cohen, Ltd.
Claims
I claim:
1. A valve respirator device comprising a housing having a bore
extending therein, said housing also having first, second and third
passage means each having one portion communicating with said bore
and a second portion communicating with a first, a second and a
third port, respectively, wherein said first port is adapted to be
in fluid communication with a source of gas, said second port is
open to the ambient atmosphere and said third port is adapted to be
in fluid communication with a patient's respiratory system, movable
means in the form of a readily replacable rotatable cylinder
mounted in said bore having a first recess in alignment with said
first and third passage means; and a second recess in alignment
with said second and third passage means, both recesses being
located in the cylinder's periphery and isolated from each other,
for alternately establishing fluid communication, first between
said first port and said third port during a portion of a
rotational cycle of said cylinder when said first recess is in
fluid communication with both said first passage means and said
third passage means and then between said second port and said
third port during a second portion of said rotational cycle during
which time said second recess is in fluid communication with both
said second passage means and said third passage means, such that
when said first port is in fluid communication with said third
port, said patient inhales the gas passing through said first port
and when said second port is in fluid communication with said third
port, said patient is able to exhale gas therethrough to the
atmosphere, means for controlling the amount of gas passing through
each of said ports, with said means for controlling the passage of
gas through said second port comprising adjustable valve means,
capable of being adjusted while the device is in operation to
control the patient's rate of exhalation and means for regulating
the rotation of said cylinder and thereby the time intervals during
which said first port and said second port, respectively, are in
fluid communication with said third port.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said recesses are located at
different radial positions on said cylinder.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein said recesses are longitudinally
spaced from each other.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the
amount of gas passing through each of said ports comprises an
apertured metering plate mounted to said housing so as to intersect
the path of fluid communication between at least one of said ports
and said movable means, such that gas passing from that port to
another of said ports passes through a particular aperture in said
plate, with the flow characteristics of said gas passing
therethrough being dependent upon the size and shape of said
aperture.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein said plate is releasably secured
to said device and constructed to be readily interchangeable with
other releasably securable apertured metering plates in order to
vary the flow characteristics of said gas passing through the plate
secured to said device.
6. The device of claim 5, further comprising valve means for
regulating the flow of gas through said second port, thus
regulating the patient's exhalation rate.
7. The device of claim 5, further comprising a pressure relief
valve which prevents excessive pressure from passing through said
third port to said patient's respiratory system.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein said moveable means further
comprises a motor which is coupled to said cylinder.
9. The device of claim 8, further comprising gear means connected
between said motor means and said cylinder.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein said gear means comprises an
assembly releasably secured to said motor means and said
cylinder.
11. The device of claim 8, wherein, said gas is thermally isolated
from said motor means as it passes through said device.
12. The device of claim 1, which is compact in size and portable in
construction.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein said device is constructed from
a plurality of modular assemblies capable of readily being
assembled or disassembled to provide ready access to the various
component parts of said device.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein said ports are located in a
modular port assembly and said moveable means is located in a
modular valve assembly.
15. The device of claim 14, additionally comprising a modular gear
assembly.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein said gear assembly includes
means for enabling the viewing of the operation of said gear
assembly.
17. The device of claim 16, further comprising heating means for
preventing the condensation of said gas from occurring as it flows
through said device.
18. The device of claim 1, further comprising heating means for
preventing condensation of said gas from occurring as it flows
through said device.
19. The device of claim 1, further comprising indicator means for
producing a warning signal to indicate a change in the rotational
speed of said cylinder.
20. A valve respirator device comprising a housing having a
passageway extending therein, said housing also having first,
second and third passage means each one portion communicating with
said passageway and a second portion communicating with a first, a
second and a third port, respectively, wherein said first port is
adapted to be in fluid communication with a source of gas, said
second port is open to the ambient atmosphere and said third port
is adapted to be in fluid communication with a patient's
respiratory system, moveable means which includes a member mounted
with respect to said passageway and having a recess in its
periphery positioned to be aligned with either said first and third
or said second and third passage means for alternately establishing
fluid communication, first between said first port and said third
port and then between said second port and said third port such
that when said first port is in fluid communication with said third
port, said patient inhales the gas passing through said first port
and when said second port is in fluid communication with said third
port, said patient is able to exhale gas therethrough to the
atmosphere, means for controlling the amount of gas passing through
each of said ports, said means for controlling the awmount of gas
passing through each of said ports including an apertured metering
plate connected to said housing so as to be positioned to intersect
the path of fluid communication between at least one of said ports
and said moveable means, such that gas passing from that port to
another of said ports passes through an aperture in said plate with
the flow characteristics of said gas passing therethrough being
dependent upon the size and shape of said aperture and means for
regulating the movement of said member and thereby time intervals
during which said first port and said second port, respectively,
are in fluid communication with said third port.
21. The device of claim 20, wherein said plate is releasably
secured to said device and constructed to be readily
interchangeable with other releasably securable apertured metering
plates, in order to vary the flow characteristics of said gas
passing through the plate secured to said device.
22. The device of claim 21, further comprising valve means for
controlling the flow of gas through said second port, thus
regulating the patient's exhalation rate.
23. The device of claim 21, further comprising a pressure relief
valve which prevents excessive pressure from passing through said
third port to said patient's respiratory system.
24. A valve respirator device comprising a housing having a bore
extending therein, said housing also having first, second and third
passage means each having one portion communicating with said bore
and a second portion communicating with a first, a second and a
third port, respectively, wherein said first port is adapted to be
in fluid communication with a source of gas, said second port is
open to the ambient atmosphere and said third port is adapted to be
in fluid communication with a patient's respiratory system,
moveable means in the form of a rotatable cylinder mounted in said
bore of generally constant diameter having a first recess in
alignment with said first and third passage means and a second
recess in alignment with said second and third passage means, both
recesses being located in the cylinder's periphery and isolated
from each other, for alternatively establishing fluid
communication, first between said first port and said third port
during a first portion a rotational cycle of said cylinder when
said first recess is in fluid communication with both said first
port and said third port and then between said second port and said
third port during a second portion of said rotational cycle during
which time said second recesses is in fluid communication with both
said second port and said third port, such that when said first
port is in fluid communication with said third port, said patient
inhales the gas passing through said first port and when said
second port is in fluid communication with said third port, said
patient is able to exhale gas therethrough to the atmosphere, means
for controlling the amount of gas passing through each of said
ports and means for regulating the rotation of said cylinder and
thereby the time intervals during which said first port and said
second port, respectively, are in fluid communication with said
third port.
Description
BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to medical devices, and more
particularly to a respirator device which can be used on people as
well as on animals.
There is a substantial need for respirator devices which are
compact, portable and inexpensive to produce. Such devices provide
means for administering emergency respiratory aid to a patient
either at an accident scene, at a first aid station or at a medical
office whose size or location is such that the use of a larger,
more expensive respirator unit would either be unfeasible,
impractical or too expensive.
The instant invention provides a means for automatically
controlling the air flow into and out of a patient's lungs in order
that the patient's lungs may be aerated smoothly and in as close to
a normal physiological pattern of respiration, as can reasonably be
attained. To that end, normal respiration requires that at regular
predetermined intervals the patient be alternately provided with
air for inhalation, followed by an interval during which time the
patient is able to exhale air from his or her lungs.
Respirator devices are used in a variety of different situations.
For instance, these devices may be used to assist a patient
suffering from either a chronic or an acute illness or one who has
sustained a traumatic injury (e.g., smoke inhalation), in
performing his or her respiratory functions. This is achieved by
providing pressurized, (often filtered and sometimes oxygen
enriched) air to the patient in a normal physiolgical pattern of
respiration (i.e., a pattern whereby a predetermined inhalation
interval is followed by a predetermined exhalation interval).
Respirator devices are also frequently used for assisting a
patient's respiratory functions during surgery or while the patient
is undergoing various other medical procedures. With regard to
surgery, the respirator device provides a means for administering
an anesthetic gas and air mixture for the patient to breath during
the procedure.
Notwithstanding the fact that in an operational setting (as
mentioned above), the gases passing through the device might
include an anesthetic gas or have a higher concentration of oxygen
than is normally found in atmospheric air, for purposes of the
foregoing discussion the gases passing through the device will
generally be referred to as "gas".
Although there are a number of compact artificial respirator
devices disclosed in the prior art, none of these devices appear to
be fully satisfactory. One such artificial respirator device is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,697 (Arion). However, the Arion
device has several significant limitations or drawbacks. The device
disclosed in the Arion patent is not completely portable in that it
comprises a plurality of separate units, namely, a separate control
unit and a separate power unit. Furthermore, the Arion device
utilizes an elongated cylinder having a hollow core which would
have a tendency toward clogging while the device is in operation.
Moreover, the Arion device provides inadequate preventative means
for insuring that the patient's lung do not accidentally collapse
or become overinflated while the device is being used.
Although there are a number of other artificial respirator devices
disclosed in the prior art, these devices generally tend to be
rather complex, not very portable (in spite of the fact that some
of these devices are characterized by their respective inventors as
being portable) and not well adapted for enabling one to
expeditiously change the volume or other flow characteristics of
the air passing through the device. Moreover, these devices
generally utilize parts which are not readily removable for
purposes of cleaning, servicing or replacement.
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,136 (Apple) there is disclosed
a piston operated ventilation unit which utilizes a mechanically
complex variable radius crank arm as a means for changing the
volume capacity of the pump. Although this device to a limited
degree may be suitable for its intended purpose, it is quite
complex thereby increasing manufacturing costs and rendering it
more likely to mechanical failure than a less complex system.
Various other respirator devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
2,930,375 (Early); 4,203,434 (Brooks); 3,265,061 (Gage, Jr.) and
4,076,021 (Thompson).
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to provide a
device which overcomes the disadvantages inherent in prior art
respirator devices.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a respirator
device which is constructed as a modular assembly, thus enabling
one to readily either replace, service or clean the component parts
comprising the device.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a
respirator device which is both portable in nature and capable of
being used on both human as well as on animal patients.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a valve
respirator device which utilizes interchangable means for readily
varying the volume and other flow characteristics of the fluids
passing through the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of the instant invention are acheived by
providing a compact respirator device. The device comprises a
housing having a first, a second and a third port, with the first
port in fluid communication with a source of gas, the second port
open to the surrounding atmosphere and the third port in fluid
communication with a patient's respiratory system. The device
includes moveable means for alternately establishing fluid
communication first, between the first port and the third port and
then between the second port and the third port. To that end, when
the first port is in fluid communication with the third port the
patient inhales the gas passing through the first port and when the
second port is in fluid communication with the third port the
patient is able to exhale gas therethrough to the ambient
atmosphere. The device further includes means for regulating the
amount of gas passing through each of the respective ports as well
as means for regulating the time intervals during which the first
port and the second port, respectively, are in fluid communication
with the third port.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compact respirator device
constructed in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, partially in section, of
the device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the device taken along line
3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the device taken along line
4--4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially in section,
of an upper portion of the device;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the device of the invention
taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the device taken along line
7--7 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the device taken along line 8--8 of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the slotted valve
cylinder showing an exhaust port slot;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the slotted valve
cylinder of the invention showing its outlet port slot;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a slotted valve cylinder
having a ribbed inlet port slot;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a valve cylinder with a ribbed
inlet port slot and its complementary metering plate; and
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternatively constructed
metering plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the various figures of the drawing wherein like
reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown at 20 a
compact respirator device constructed in accordance with the
instant invention. The device 20 is designed to assist a patient's
respiratory process by providing the patient (either human or
animal) with air for breathing. The device operates in a
conventional inspiratory-expiratory cycle. To that end, the patient
is in alternating succession, first provided with air to be inhaled
(the inspiratory phase) followed by an interval during which time
the patient is able to exhale the air through the device (the
expiratory phase). Moreover, the device can be used for providing
the patient with an anesthetic gas in combination with the air and
can be used to regulate the amount as well as the other flow
characteristics (e.g., pressure) of gas (air or air-anesthesia gas
mixture) which is inhaled and then later exhaled by the
patient.
To that end, the device 20 is used in combination with a source of
gas, which through a first tube is connected to what shall be
referred to as the inlet port of the device. A second tube is used
to connect, typically a breathing mask (which fits over the
patient's nose and mouth), to what shall be referred to as an
outlet port of the device.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve respirator device 20 basically
comprises a body 22, an inlet port 24, an outlet port 26, an
exhaust port 28, a slotted valve cylinder 30 (shown in FIG. 10),
metering means 32, control means 33 and rotational means 34.
The respirator device 20 is arranged to control the air flow both
into and out of a patient's lungs in order that the patient's lungs
may be aerated smoothly and efficiently. In that regard, during the
inspiratory phase of the breathing cycle, the outlet port is
brought in fluid communication with the inlet port 24 by the valve
cylinder. During the expiratory phase, the outlet port is brought
into communication with the exhaust port 28. In particular, the
device 20 intermitently causes pressurized gas to flow from the
inlet port 24 to the outlet port 26 during a first portion of a
rotational cycle of the valve cylinder (to be explained later) and
then from the outlet port to the exhaust port 28 during a second
portion of this cycle. During the phase that the inlet port 24 is
in fluid communication with the outlet port 26, the patient inhales
the gas being supplied to the inlet port while and during the phase
that the outlet port 26 is in fluid communication with the exhaust
port 28, the patient exhales air from his lungs to the surrounding
atmosphere. A pair of slots or recesses in the periphery of the
valve cylinder 30 provide the means for alternately establishing
fluid communication between the outlet port 26 and the inlet port
24 and then establishing fluid communication between the outlet
port 26 and the exaust port 28 as the valve cylinder 30 is rotated
by the rotational means 34.
The metering plate 32 is interposed in the path of fluid flow
between the outlet port 26 and the inlet port and exhaust ports 24
and 28, respectively, to provide a means for regulating or changing
the flow characteristics of the gas passing from either the inlet
port 24 to the outlet port 26 or from the outlet port to the
exhaust port 28.
The device 20 is compact in the interest of portability and is also
of a modular construction for ease of assembly/disassembly,
cleaning, repair, etc. Insofar as size is concerned, the device is
extremely compact and can be held within one's hand. Regarding
modularity (and as can be appreciated from FIG. 2), the device
basically comprises four modular assemblies, namely, a valve
assembly, a motor-gear assembly 38, a port assembly 40, and the
metering plate 32. Each of these assemblies readily engages the
other assemblies to form a single operational unit. The assemblies
can be readily disconnected from one another to provide easy access
means to the components in order that the components may readily be
replaced, serviced, or cleaned.
In operation, an air supply (either portable or fixed), or
alternatively, a blower unit (also either portable or fixed)
supplies air, oxygen or other gas(es) under pressure to the inlet
port 24.
As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, the port assembly 40 comprises a
block or body 41 having three ports and three passageways, with
each of said passageways providing fluid communication between a
respective port and a particular slot in the slotted valve cylinder
30 (which shall be discussed in detail later). In this regard, the
inlet port 24 comprises a coupling 25 which is arranged to be
disposed within the open end of a conduit or tube (not shown) from
the gas supply (not shown). The coupling is in fluid communication
with a cylindrically shaped passage 42 in the body 41. The passage
42 is also in fluid communication with a passage opening 43 on the
bottom surface 62 of the port assembly block 41. As best shown in
FIGS. 5 and 7, the passage 42 is disposed vertically in the block
and is aligned to intersect and be in fluid communication with the
horizontally disposed coupling 25.
The outlet port 26 comprises a coupling 27 which is similar in
construction to coupling 25 and is in fluid communication with a
generally rectangular, vertically disposed, passage 45 through the
port assembly block 41. The passage 45 is located at a generally
central position in the port assembly 40 and is aligned to
intersect and be in fluid communication with the horizontally
disposed coupling 27. The passage 45 also extends downward to an
opening 47 on the bottom surface 62 of the port assembly block
41.
The exhaust port 28 comprises a valve regulated outlet opening 50
and is connected in fluid communication with an exhaust port
passage 52. The exhaust port passage 52 is a generally cylindrical,
inverted L-shaped passage in the port assembly block 41.
As best shown in FIG. 5, the exhaust port passage 52 comprises a
vertical leg 59 and a horizontal leg 60. To that end, the vertical
leg 59 extends upward from an exhaust port passage opening 54 on
the bottom surface 62 of the port assembly block 41 to a point near
the top surface 58 of the port assembly, where it merges with the
horizontal leg 60. The horizontal leg portion of passage 52
terminates at an outlet opening 50 in the rear surface 46 of the
port assembly block. The outlet opening 50 serves as the vent for
exhaled gas to pass to the ambient atmosphere.
The flow of gas through the exhaust port 28 is controlled by an
exhaust port valve 64. In that regard, the exhaust port valve
controls the patient's rate of exhalation, and when properly set,
prevents the patient's lungs from collapsing. The valve 64 is
located in a vertical bore 56 which extends from the top surface 58
of the port assembly block adjacent its rear end. The bore 56
extends through the horizontal leg 60 of the exhaust port passage
to the bottom surface 62 of the port assembly block. As can be seen
in FIG. 5, the bore 56 enlarges so as to define an enlarged
cylindrical cavity 63 adjacent the bottom of the block 41.
An exhaust port valve cylinder 66 is located in the exhaust port
bore 56. As shall be described in greater detail below, the
cylinder 66 serves as the means for controlling the passage of air
from the exhaust port passage 52 to the exhaust port outlet opening
50. To that end, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, the exhaust port
valve cylinder 66 includes a horizontally disposed valve opening
68, extending diametrically through the cylinder. The valve opening
68 is in vertical alignment with the horizontal passage portion 60
of the exhaust port passage. Moreover, the cross sectional area of
the opening 68 is approximately equal to the cross sectional area
of the horizontal leg 60 of the exhaust port passage.
The bottom portion 73 (shown in FIG. 4) of the cylinder 66 is of a
reduced diameter from the remainder of the cylinder. In that
regard, the interface between the narrow diameter bottom portion of
the cylinder and the larger diameter remaining portion establishes
a generally flat annular horizontal ledge 74.
A washer 76 whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the bore
56 is fitted about the narrower diameter bottom portion 73 of the
cylinder. To that end, the washer 76 is positioned within the
enlarged cavity 63, adjacent the bottom surface 62 of the port
assembly. An externally threaded bolt 82 is threaded into an
internally threaded screw hole 83 through the bottom surface of the
cylinder 66 to secure the washer 76 to the cylinder 66 and against
the annular horizontal ledge thus preventing the cylinder 66 from
sliding upwardly through the bore 56. Moreover, the top surface of
the washer 76 and the annular surface 74 are both relatively smooth
to allow the cylinder 66 to be turned easily within the bore
56.
The top end of the cylinder 66 is in the form of an annular cap 84
and handle means 86. The annular cap 84 is integrally formed from
the cylinder 66 and includes a flanged member 88 which rests on the
top surface 58 of the port assembly 40. The flange 88 of the cap 84
is of a larger diameter than the bore 56 to prevent the cylinder 66
from sliding downwardly through the bore, thus maintaining the
desired vertical alignment between the horizontal leg of the
exhaust passage 60 and the valve opening 68 of the cylinder 66.
The handle means 86 is situated above and adjacent the cap 84 and
comprises a horizontally disposed stem 90 inserted through and
frictionally engaged to a horizontally disposed hole 92 extending
through the cylinder 66.
As can be appreciated from FIG. 4, when the valve opening 68 is
turned so that the valve opening 68 is generally at right angles to
the passage leg portion 60, the passageway 52 is blocked to
interrupt the flow of gas from the exhaust port passage 52 to the
exhaust port outlet opening 50.
As can be appreciated from FIG. 6, manual rotation of the handle
means 86 to a position where the exhaust port valve opening 68 is
partially aligned with the exhaust port passage 52, (i.e., the
valve is set to be partially open) enables a predetermined amount
of gas to pass from the exhaust port passage 52 through the valve
opening 68, and then out the exhaust port outlet opening 50.
Obviously, a maximum amount of gas passes through the exhaust port
28 when the valve opening 68 is rotated to be precisely, radially
aligned with the horizontal portion 60 of the exhaust port
passage.
Although omitted from the drawing (in the interest of drawing
simplicity), the preferred embodiment of the invention uses a valve
64 which includes ratcheting means and indicator (indicia) means to
enable one to rotate and hold the exhaust port valve in any number
of various predetermined positions or settings, as desired.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, the details of the couplings 25 and 27
can be seen. To that end, each comprises an essentially hollow
tubular member including an externally threaded end 96, threadingly
engaged in a respective opening in the port assembly block 41. In
this regard, couplings 25 and 27 are mounted on sides 98 and 100,
respectively, of the port assembly block 41. The coupling 27 also
includes a pressure relief valve 99 which shall be discussed
below.
The coupling 25 is threadingly engaged in an internally threaded
opening on the side 98 of the port assembly block and in
communication with the vertical passage 42. Similarly, the coupling
27 is threadingly engaged in an internally threaded opening on the
side 100 of the port assembly block and in fluid communication with
the vertical passage 45.
Although the hollow passageways in the respective couplings 25 and
27 are of a constant diameter, as shown in FIG. 3, each coupling
has a thickened base portion 102 which tapers to a relatively
narrow diameter intermediate section 104 and terminates in a
slightly thickened end portion 106. In that regard, a hose or other
gas transporting conduit is attached to either the coupling 25 or
27 by sliding the open end of the hose over the thickened end and
onto the relatively thin intermediate section 104. The thickened
end portion 106 of the coupling prevents its hose from readily
pulling loose. Moreover, the increased thickness of the base
portion 102 of the coupling ensures that there is a gas-tight seal
between the hose and the coupling.
In order to preclude the possibility of accidentally overinflating
the patient's lungs, the device 20 includes the heretofore
mentioned pressure relief valve 99. That valve is a conventional
pressure relief device and is connected on the coupling 27 in fluid
communication with a relief valve opening (not shown), extending
through the base portion 102 of the coupling 27. The valve is
constructed so that whenever the gas pressure within the outlet
port 26 exceeds a predetermined level, the valve pops open, thereby
venting the outlet coupling 27 (and thus the patient's respiratory
system as well), into the ambient atmosphere.
The amount of pressure necessary to cause the valve 99 to pop open
is readily adjustable through calibration means 111, thus enabling
the operator of the device to set or calibrate the pressure relief
valve before connecting the respirator device 20 to the
patient.
As shown in FIG. 2, the port assembly block 41 includes a flanged
base 108 which attaches to the top surface 105 of the body 22 by
means of two pins 109 and four hex nuts 110. Each pin 109 passes
through a corresponding hole 111A in the metering plate 32 and then
fits into a corresponding hole 111B in the top surface of the
device's body 22. Similarly, each hex nut 110 is inserted through a
corresponding hole 112 in the base portion 108 of the port
assembly, passes through a corresponding hole 113A in the metering
plate 32 and then is threaded into a corresponding internally
threaded hole 113B on the top surface of the device's body 22 to
secure the port assembly 40 in place.
The rotational means 34 includes a gear train 117 and a motor 132
which are attached to the motor-gear assembly 38. To that end, the
motor-gear assembly 38 includes a hollow, generally elliptical
chamber 114 in its front portion 116, and in which the gear train
117 is housed. The motor 132 is fixedly mounted on the rear portion
130 of the assembly 38.
Referring to FIG. 4, the gear train 117 comprises a plurality of
interconnected gears 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123 and 124,
respectively, and serves as a rotary speed reduction system for the
device. The gear 118 is rotatably attached to the drive shaft 126
of the motor 132 and is connected to the gear 124, through the
interconnecting reduction gears 119, 120, 121, 122 and 123,
respectively, so that the speed of rotation of gear 124 is
substantially less than that of the motor's shaft. The gear 124 is
connected through a cylindrical drive shaft 128 to the cylinder 30.
In that regard, the gear 124 is connected to a first end of the
drive shaft 128. The second end of the drive shaft 128 extends
through the rear surface 130 of the motor-gear assembly 38 (shown
in FIG. 2) and into a cylinder bore 150 within the body 22 (when
the front plate and the body are together).
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the second end of the drive shaft 128
includes rotatable head 131 having a protruding slot 133. The
protruding slot 133 of the rotatable head 131 mates with one end of
the slotted valve cylinder 30 (in a manner to be described later)
to cause the cylinder to rotate at the same rotational speed as
shaft 28, and thus at some predetermined percentage of the
rotational speed of the motor 132.
The motor 132 is a conventional 1.5 to 4.5 volt Direct Current
electrical motor which, as mentioned above, is connected through
the motor drive shaft 126 to the first gear 118 of the gear
assembly. The barrel or casing 135 of the motor is fixedly attached
to the rear surface 130 of the assembly 38 with the motor's drive
shaft 126 extending through a hole in the rear surface 130 of the
assembly and into gear chamber 114 for attachment to the first gear
118 of the gear train.
On the rear surface of the barrel 135 of the motor are two
electrical contacts 134 (shown in FIG. 2) which are arranged to
electrically engage corresponding electrical contacts (to be
described later) situated within the body 22 of the device to
supply the motor with electrical current.
A transparent plexiglass window 136 (shown in FIG. 1) is adhesively
attached to the front surface 116 of the motor-gear assembly in
order to cover and enclose the gear chamber 114. The window, thus
protects the mechanical parts housed within the gear chamber, yet
enables the operator of the device to view the operation of the
gears 117, while the device is in operation.
A pair of screw holes 141 extend completely through the motor-gear
assembly 38 (normal to its front and rear surfaces 116 and 130,
respectively, with respective bolts 143 located therein to secure
the assembly to the body 22 of the device by threadingly engaging
corresponding internally threaded holes 145 in the body 22. The
body 22 is mounted on a generally planar base 138.
Referring to FIG. 4, the base 138 comprises a top plate 140 and a
bottom plate 142. The top plate 140 is constructed of a transparent
plastic material, and is adhesively attached to the bottom plate
142, which is constructed of a resilient material, e.g., rubber.
The rubber bottom plate 142 both insulates (electrically as well as
thermally) the device 20 from the surface upon which the device is
resting and operates as gripping means, preventing the device from
accidentally sliding therealong. As shown in FIG. 2, the base 138
is sufficiently long to not only cover the entire bottom surface of
the upper portion of the body 22 but to also extend beyond the
front surface of the body to enable the motor gear assembly 38 to
also rest thereupon when it is secured in an operational position
to the body.
The body 22 includes a front surface 139 to which the motor-gear
assembly 38 is secured and includes six cylindrical openings or
chambers, namely, cylinder chamber 150 (as mentioned above), motor
chamber 182, two heating element chambers 185 and two battery
chambers 186.
The cylinder chamber 150 extends horizontally through the body 22
from the front surface 139 to the rear surface 152. The open end of
the cylinder chamber 150 along the front surface 139 of the body is
aligned with the head 131 of the drive shaft 128 when the
motor-gear assembly 38 is attached to the body 22.
Moreover, when the port assembly is attached in place, the chamber
150 is situated directly below the inlet port, the outlet port and
the exhaust port passage openings 43, 47 and 54, respectively. To
that end, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inlet port passage opening
43, the outlet port passage opening 47 and the exhaust port passage
opening 54 are in axial alignment with three openings in the top
surface 105 of the body 22, namely, inlet port passage aperture
154, outlet port passage aperture 156 and exhaust port passage
aperture 158, respectively.
Both the inlet port passage aperture 154 and the exhaust port
passage aperture 158 are circularly shaped, with their diameter
corresponding to the diameter of the respective passage openings 54
and 43, through the port assembly. The outlet port passage aperture
156 is generally rectangularly shaped, thus generally corresponding
in size and shape to the outlet port passage opening 47 in the port
assembly body 41. Each of these apertures 154, 156 and 158 is in
fluid communication with respective portions of the cylinder
chamber 150, thus providing a means of fluid communication between
respective ports, via respective portions of the slotted cylinder
30 contained within the cylinder chamber 150, as will be described
later.
The diameter of the slotted cylinder 30 is nearly equal but
slightly less than the diameter of the chamber 150 (i.e., the
cylinder 30 substantially fills the chamber's cross sectional
area). However, there is a small amount of space between the
periphery of the cylinder 30 and the cylinder chamber 150, thus
enabling the cylinder to freely rotate within the chamber.
Moreover, a small amount of gas is able to pass between the
periphery of the cylinder 30 and the wall of the chamber 150.
As shown in FIG. 4, the front end of the cylinder chamber 150, is
in the form of an annular lip 160 having a bore whose diameter is
less than the diameter of the cylinder 30 to prevent the cylinder
30 from sliding out the front of the body.
The front portion of the cylinder 30 includes a slotted head 162
which is of a lesser diameter than the diameter of the remaining
portion of the cylinder and extends through the bore of the annular
lip 160 for receipt of the end 133 of the gear train shaft. Thus,
rotation of the drive shaft 128 produces corresponding rotation of
the slotted cylinder 30.
As shown in FIG. 5, a cylinder cap 164 seals the rear end of
chamber 150. The cylinder cap 164 comprises an externally threaded
bolt 165 having an enlarged knurled head 167 to serve as means to
enable one to manually engage or disengage the cap 164 from the
chamber.
Moreover, the free end of the bolt 165 acts as a stop against the
adjacent end of the cylinder 30 to ensure that the cylinder is
properly located with shaft end 133 located within its slot 162. As
a result, the cylinder 30 is prevented from shifting longitudinally
within the cylinder chamber and becoming disengaged from the
rotatable drive shaft 128.
As shown in FIG. 5, the slotted cylinder 30 includes a pair of
slots 170 and 172 which serve as the means for alternatively
interconnecting the inlet port 24 with the outlet port 26 and the
outlet port with the exhaust port 28. Each slot is an elongated
recess extending longitudinally in the cylinder's peripheral
surface 173. In particular, the inlet port slot 170 is situated at
a generally opposite radial position along the periphery 173 of the
cylinder from the exhaust port slot 172. In addition, the slot 170
and the slot 172 are each situated at different longitudinal
positions along the length of the cylinder, as well. In particular,
the slot 170 is longitudinally positioned along the cylinder's
cylindrical surface 173 to enable it to bridge (be in simultaneous
fluid communication with) both the outlet port aperture 156 and the
inlet port aperture 154 during the inspiratory phase of the
rotational cycle of the cylinder 30. As a result, the slot 170
connects the inlet port passage 42 with the outlet port passage 45
during this portion of the cycle.
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, the exhaust port slot 172 is
longitudinally positioned along the cylindrical surface 173 of the
cylinder 30 so that during an expiratory phase of the cylinder's
rotational cycle, when the exhaust port slot 172 is adjacent the
top surface of the body, the exhaust port slot 172 bridges both the
exhaust port aperture 158 and the outlet port aperture 156. As a
result, the slot 172 operates to connect the exhaust port passage
52 with the outlet port passage 45 during this portion of the
cycle.
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, each slot 170 and 172, is a generally
rectangularly shaped recess in the cylinder's peripheral surface
173. To that end, each slot comprises a pair of longitudinal side
surfaces 174 cut radially through the cylinder's periphery 173 and
a pair of lateral arcuate sides 176 interconnecting the two
longitudinal surfaces 174 and an arcuate floor 178. Consequently,
there is no direct fluid communication between the inlet port slot
170 on the one side of the cylinder and the exhaust port slot 172
on its opposite side, notwith-standing the slight amount of leakage
which occurs between the periphery of the cylinder 30 and the bore
150, as will be described later.
It should be pointed out at this juncture that the exact size and
shape of the slots 170 and 172, respectively, can be varied in
order to change the flow characteristics of the gas passing
therethrough (as shall be discussed later).
When the inlet port slot 170 is bridging the inlet port aperture
154 and the outlet port aperture 156 (as shown in FIG. 5), gas is
enabled to flow from the inlet port passage 42, through the slot
170, to the outlet port passage 45. Likewise, when the exhaust port
slot 172 bridges the exhaust port aperture 158 and the outlet port
aperture 156, gas is permitted to flow from the outlet port passage
45, through the slot 172, to the exhaust port passage 52.
As mentioned above, a slight amount of gas leakage occurs through
the interface between the periphery of the cylinder 30 and the
cylinder chamber 150. This feature is of importance to ensure that
there is maintained a minimum threshold pressure, commonly referred
to as positive end pressure, regardless of the rotational position
to prevent the patient's lungs from collapsing due to excessive
exhalation, in the event that the exhaust port valve is improperly
set.
As mentioned above, the body 22 includes a chamber 182 for
receiving the projecting portion of the motor 132 when the
motor-gear assembly 38 is secured to the body 22. When so
connected, the bulk of the motor rests within the chamber 182 such
that the electrical contacts 134 on the rear surface of the motor
electrically contact a second pair of electrical contacts 183
located at the base 184 of the motor chamber. Thus, the motor is
automatically disconnected from the source of electricity when the
motor-gear assembly 38 is removed from the body 22, and is
automatically re-connected to that source when that assembly is
re-attached.
As mentioned above, the body 22 also includes two battery chambers
186, each of which is configured to receive a conventional size AA
storage battery 187. It should be pointed out that the device 20
may readily be adapted to use any type of battery, if portability
is desired or can be adapted to be powered from AC lines, via the
use of appropriate circuitry, if desired.
A pair of electrical contacting caps 188 holds the batteries 187 in
place within their respective chambers 186 and also function as the
means for electrically connecting the battery terminals to the
control means 33, (which shall be discussed below). The two
electrical caps 188 electrically contact the positive pole of one
battery and the negative pole of the other battery, respectively.
In that regard, the opposite pole of each of the respective
batteries are interconnected within the housing by means of a
conventional electrical conductor 191. Other electrical conductors
(not shown) connect each cap 188 to an associated terminal of the
control means 33 to complete the electrical circuit.
In one embodiment of the invention, the control means 33 comprises
a potentiometer (not shown) which is electrically connected in
series between the motor 132 and the pair of batteries 187. As can
be seen, the potentiometer includes an adjustment knob 189 which is
situated on one side of the body 22. In that regard, the knob is
connected to the slider of the potentiometer so that when the knob
is rotated, the electrical resistance of the circuit connecting the
motor 132 to the electrical source 187 is increased or decreased
(depending upon the direction of rotation of the knob), thus
varying the amount of current being supplied to the motor.
Obviously, the greater the amount of current being supplied to the
motor, the greater is the rotational speed of both the motor and
the slotted cylinder 30.
An alternative and preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes
control means 33 comprising a microprocessor unit (not shown)
housed within the device 20 and which is programmed to enable the
operator of the respirator device 20 to instantly select any
predetermined rotational speed desired for the cylinder by
adjustment of the knob 189 or other suitable selector means.
Furthermore, the microprocessor is also programmed to provide
intermittent (i.e., stop and go) rotational movement of the
cylinder, as desired.
The metering means 32 is a member arranged to be mounted between
the bottom surface 62 of the port assembly and the top surface 105
of the body to establish the maximum size and shape of the opening
between apertures 154, 156 and 158 in the body 22 and passageway
openings 54, 47 and 43, respectively, in the port assembly 40. This
feature enables one to establish the flow characteristics of the
device by appropriate selection of the metering means. In the
embodiment shown, the metering means comprises a generally planar
plate having an inlet aperture 194, an outlet aperture 196 and an
exhaust aperture 198, as well as a plurality of mounting holes 111A
and 113A.
The inlet aperture 194 of the plate 32 is aligned with the inlet
passage aperture 154 in the body 22, the outlet aperture 196 is
aligned with the outlet passage aperture 156 and the exhaust port
aperture 198 is aligned with the exhaust port aperture 158.
The metering plate 32 enables the operator of the respirator device
20 to readily change the effective size and shape of the aperture
openings between the cylinder chamber 150 and the port assembly 40
by merely substituting one interchangable metering plate for
another, with each of said plates having one or more different size
or shape apertures.
Although the metering plate 32 (shown in FIG. 2), comprises three
apertures 194, 196 and 198 which correspond in both size and shape
to the three apertures 154, 156 and 158, respectively, through the
body, such a construction is only one of various arrangements
possible within the scope of this invention.
As mentioned above, the volume and flow characteristics of gas
passing through the respirator device can be readily changed by
changing either or both the slotted cylinder 30 and the metering
plate 32 being used.
To that end, by removing the cylinder cap 164 from the body 22, the
cylinder 30 can readily be removed for purposes of substitution,
servicing or cleaning as desired. Similarly, by removing the hex
nuts 110, the port assembly 40 is readily removed in order that the
metering plate 32 may also be removed or replaced as desired.
With regard to changing the cylinder, the flow characteristics
produced by a particular cylinder is readily changed by changing
the size, shape or number of slots it contains, by using
differently constructed (e.g., ribbed) slots or by changing the
slots' radial position along the cylinder.
An example of an alternatively constructed valve cylinder 30B is
shown in FIG. 11. This cylinder is used to produce a pulsating gas
flow when it is used in combination with a metering plate 32B which
has a single narrow inlet port aperture slit 194B. Cylinder 30B
comprises a plurality of parallel, evenly spaced ribs 200 running
longitudinally along a portion (approximately one-half the length)
of the inlet port slot 170B. Formed between the respective ribs are
corresponding parallel slits 202 which receive and then channel gas
therealong. The ribs 200 and slits 202 are situated within the slot
170B adjacent the aperture 194B of the metering plate 32B during
the inspiratory portion of the cylinder's rotational cycle.
Operation of this embodiment can best be appreciated by reference
to FIGS. 11 and 12. To that end, a single pulse of air enters the
slot 170B as each respective slit 202 successively rotates into
fluid communication with the aperture slit 194B. Thus, successive
resulting pulses of gas are produced and flow toward the aperture
196B of the metering plate, through the passage aperture 156 and
finally toward the outlet port 26, as each successive slit 202
rotates into fluid communication with the metering plate aperture
slit 194B.
It should further be appreciated that when the metering plate 32B
and cylinder 30B are used in combination with each other, as
described above, only the inspiratory portion of the respiratory
cycle is affected. However, if deemed medically desirable, the
exhalation portion of the cycle could also be modified, as
desired.
Another example of how the flow characteristics of the gas passing
from the inport 24 to the outport 26 of the device 20 is modified
(in this case without substituting cylinders 30), by using still
another interchangable metering plate 30C, is shown in FIG. 13. The
metering plate 30C comprises an inlet aperture 194C which increases
from a narrow opening to a large opening going from right to left,
transverse to the longitudinal direction of the plate. Thus, it
should readily be appreciated, that as the slot 170 of the cylinder
rotates (in a counter clockwise direction) into fluid communication
with the opening 194C, the slot 170 initially communicates with the
passage 42 through only a very narrow opening. As the cylinder
continues to rotate, said opening gradually enlarges, thus placing
slot 170 in communication with an increasingly larger portion of
the aperture 194C as well as a correspondingly larger portion of
the passage opening 43. As a result of the foregoing, a graduated
flow of gas, from a small volume to a large one, is produced during
each rotational cycle. Accordingly, the volume of gas flowing from
the inlet port passage 42 to the outlet port 26 of the device 20
increases during the inspiration phase.
It should be pointed out that the volume of gas passing from the
inlet port 24 to the outlet port 26 may also readily be changed by
changing only the size of the respective apertures, thus keeping
their shape unchanged.
One type of medical treatment for which the respirator device 20 is
ideally adapted is known as high frequency ventilation. High
frequency ventilation entails providing a patient with short bursts
or pulses of air at regular, high frequency intervals (e.g., one
thousand pulses per minute). In that regard, the cylinder 30B and
the metering plate 32B, (both shown in FIG. 12) are well adapted
for use in a high frequency ventilation application since a
plurality of pulses of gas are produced during each rotational
cycle of the cylinder (with the number of pulses corresponding to
the number of slits 202 formed within the slot 170B). Moreover, the
frequency of ventilation can be increased by either increasing the
rotational speed of the cylinder or by increasing the number of
ribs comprising the inlet slot(s).
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the flow
characteristics produced by the various different metering means
and the slotted cylinders described herein are merely exemplary.
Thus, other metering means and cylinders can be used to produce any
desired flow characteristic. For this reason, the device 20 is
ideally suited for veterinary use since the flow characteristics
produceable by the device can be tailored to meet the respiratory
needs of a wide variety of different species of animal.
Referring to FIG. 2, contained within the two heating element
chambers 185 (which are adjacent and parallel to the cylinder
chamber 150) are a pair of electrical heating elements 35. Each
heating element 35 is a conventional device and comprises an
elongated electrical heating unit (e.g., a nichrom or ceramic
heater) which is connected through an electrical conductor to the
batteries 187. The heating elements 35 operate to heat the body 22,
the cylinder 30, the metering means 32 and the port asbly 40 of the
device 20 in order to prevent condensation of the gas from
occurring as it passes through the device.
The device 20 further comprises first indicator means 204, e.g., a
light emitting diode, arranged to indicate battery failure and
second indicator means, e.g., a light emitting diode, 206 arranged
to signal a malfunction in the operation of the motor and gear
assembly 34. The indicator means 204 and 206, may also include
conventional annuciator means to provide an audible warning signal,
as well as the visual warning signal.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the
body 22 (except for its base 138), the front plate 38, the port
assembly 40 and the metering plate 32 are generally constructed of
a strong, durable plastic such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
(ABS), the gears 117 are constructed of nylon and the rotatable
cylinder 30 is constructed of an extrudable, molded flourocarbon
plastic such as Teflon (sold by E. I. Dupont de Nemours of
Wilmington, Del.). However, the device 20 may be alternatively
constructed of a wide variety of different plastics, metals or
other materials.
Although the metering means 32 of the preferred embodiment of the
invention comprises a replaceable metering plate 32, alternative
embodiments of the invention (not shown) include other means which
do not include replaceable plates, for adjusting the flow
characteristics of the gas passing through the device 20, e.g.,
metering means having a sliding aperture.
As can readily be appreciated from the foregoing discussion, the
device 20 is extremely compact and thus, is well adapted for
portable use. Moreover, its modular construction enables the
various components of the device 20 to be quickly and easily
removed in order that they may be repaired, replaced or cleaned, as
desired. In that regard in order to quickly recognize and remedy a
malfunction should one occur, the device includes a transparent
window 136 which enables the operator of the device to readily
observe various moveable components of the device 20 while they are
in operation.
Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate
my invention that others may, by applying current or future
knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions
of service.
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